best dressed

March 8th, 2010

BlogOscars

March is the culmination of award season and what better way to celebrate it then the Oscars.  We congratulate all the nominees and winners, but what we really care about is what was everyone wearing. Here’s a list of who wore it best during Oscar night in alphabetical order beginning with first name.

Anna Kendrick – in Elie Saab haute couture gown in pale pink mousseline hand draped with cap sleeves, delicate applique at the bust, and a slit line adorned with Chantilly lace.  She accessorized her look with Sergio Rossi sandals, a Judith Leiber crystal clutch, and Kwiat diamonds.  We loved this dress, but the color was a little too drab for Kendrick’s skin tone.

Cameron Diaz – in Oscar de la Renta gown in champagne tulle, metallic ribbon, and gold paillette embroidery.  She wore Cartier jewels.  Diaz’s look was complete, even her soft and wavy romantic hairstyle matched.

Demi Moore – in Atelier Versace blush gown with full tiered skirt and rose detail accessorized with satin double platform Versace sandals, Van Cleef & Arpels jewelry, and a dark gold Ferragamo leather envelope clutch with pale pink stone closure.  She looked fabulous and we still can’t believe she’s over 40.

Elizabeth Banks – in Versace gray gown with cascading ruffles, Ferragamo clutch, and Fred Leighton diamonds.  She just looked perfectly beautiful.

Helen Mirren – in Badgley Mischka sparkly demure gown with Chopard earrings.  She looked lovely like always.

Kate Winslet – in Yves Saint Laurent champagne bustier gown and a 2.5 million Tiffany & Company diamond necklace.  Understated elegance.

Kristen Stewart – in Monique Lhuillier strapless midnight blue silk and satin organza trumpet gown with H. Stern diamond bracelet, and Bally heels.  Though she looked slightly uncomfortable in her attire, her look was ravishing on the red carpet.

Meryl Streep – in Chris March (Project Runway alum) white gown, accessorized with Jimmy Choo Zena platform sandals, silver Swarovski Mysthic crystal mesh clutch.  Stylish and age appropriate.  She looked regal and slim.

Rachel McAdams – in Elie Saab haute couture strapless gown made with panels of organza and mousseline with a sweetheart neckline and hand pleated bodice in a romantic print containing shades of pinks, blues, and greens.  She wore Lorraine Schwartz diamonds and a lilac Ferragamo satin clutch.  Refreshing.  She was the belle of the Oscars and looked simply divine.

Sandra Bullock –  in Marchesa silver beaded column gown with embroidered illusion bodice.  She wore her own jewelry with a metallic silver Celestina clutch.  Statuesque.  She looked every bit the Oscar winner.

Some noteworthy trends on the red carpet that may carry into spring and summer wardrobes include:

1) stylish metallics – in silver and gold tones, and also used in accessories such as clutches and heels

2) bold vibrant colors – lots of reds and blues

3) pale pinks and nudes – very feminine, soft, and understated

4) one shoulder dresses

5) ruffles galore

6) ornate – intricate beading, glittery jewels, gems, and sequins

7) statement jewelry – large earrings or showcase necklaces and bracelets

stay the night and party

February 8th, 2010

BlogLuParty

On Friday, January 29th, Bella Maven attended the birthday celebration of our good friend, Joe Ninofranco, and BM model/stylist, Loralei Rose Bingamon, who sported the palomar dress, at J Lounge in downtown L.A.  It was a wonderful event filled with lots of eye candy and great tunes to dance to by the Cerritos All-Stars.  We even managed to leave with a CD featuring mixes by DJ Remark, DJ Epic, and DJ Kwest.

(Loralei Rose Bingamon wears the palomar dress in black from Bella Maven. | Make-up for Loralei Rose Bingamon done by Pauline Calanoc.)

hat fetish: look of the day

January 22nd, 2010

abbybloghats

I just love love LOVE hats…almost, but not quite as much as I love food.  I think it’s probably because I’m one of those people that actually look good in them.  I can take any hat, put it on, and it looks great on me.  It’s actually surprising considering I have a big noggin.  Usually, people with large heads look silly in hats, that’s not true for me.  But, I look hideous in glasses so thank goodness I have 20/20 vision.

Well, with the weather turning awful, hats are the perfect accessory to keep you warm.  So, here’s BM model Abby looking lovely and beautiful with a knit hat from the Bella Maven closet.  Remind me to tell you more about the Bella Maven closet as we get closer to relaunching our website with its enhanced features.  You know what this means, we will probably be carrying hats soon.

(Abby is wearing the gwen dress by Lush, ivy earrings by Gorjana, lara handbag in creme by Big Buddha, wisdom ring by Ur Eternity, and turquoise pear necklace by Boe.  Hat, denim vest, and belt from the Bella Maven closet.  Photography by Marie Padilla enhanced with lomography technique and viewfinder | Styled by Loralei Rose Bingamon for bellamaven.com.)

spring forward – 2010 fashion trends

January 20th, 2010

by Cassandra King

SpringTrendsBlog

Even though most of the nation is coping with severe cold snaps and rain storms, this has little bearing on retailers, who are displaying shipments of spring wares.  Back in September, major fashion houses were showing their spring lines and even though spring is barely here, fashion lines are already in production with their fall 2010 offerings.  Crazy isn’t it?  It’s so hard to keep up.  Most of us are too busy to pour over designer sites, the New York Times fashion section, magazines, and countless blogs.  Well, have no fear.  All you need to know to get yourselves ready for spring 2010 is right here.

Although the New Year’s Eve ball already dropped earlier this month, you can catch the top ten countdown of spring trends below. Starting with number ten.

10.  the boyfriend blazer – The boyfriend blazer is still going strong.  Pair it with skinny jeans, fitted tops, or sweet skirts. Wear the trend with: boyfriend sweater.

9.  patterns and prints – Graphics are bold and busy this season.  Pants and dresses dominated the runways showcasing these styles.  With the onset of spring, we can always expect to see floral prints.  In addition to the posies, designers also debuted strips and abstract artsy prints. Wear the trend with: rumi, monet, moderne, jenny, pleated knit, purple watercolor, malaga, navy wrap, speckle, flocked zebra, abstraction, pink watercolor, butterfly, watercolor, erica, tropicale, and zig zag.

8.  denim and chambray – Think soft blues that look broken in.  Shredded, ripped, torn, or patched, jeans are sexy and revealing.  Invest in this look, it will inevitably keep going long past the season.

7.  futuristic warrior, military, and tribal - Military is the new classic and has been evolving.  Elements of military history are being reinterpreted with a modern, futuristic twist.  Think wilder and more fierce with inspiration coming from ancient Rome, Egypt, and the Celtic warrior.  Look for metal plating, leather tunics, and tribal inspired motifs in clothing and accessories.  Mix these elements with glamorous pieces such as sequins or pair soft flowing fabric with sharp metal plating or studded pieces. Wear this trend with: tribal bracelet, graham petal charm, graham leather wrap, rockstar clutch, and sario clutch.

6.  knee high and over the knee socks -  Socks are back in the forefront and can add volumes to your outfit.  As a defining look, socks are transeasonal and will carry on into winter of 2010.

5.  see-through and sheer – Not everyone is gutsy enough to go with this look.  We blame it on the rising temperatures and the desire to show off.  Be sassy, yet cool.  Style tip:  match sheer tops with lacy camisoles or tanks.  Neutral shades work best. Wear this trend with: ruffle mini and gigi ruffle.

4.  urban sporty – Sportswear is suddenly streetwear.  It’s sexy, svelte, and effortless with it’s youthful tomboy chic .  Designers take inspiration from tennis, football, baseball, golf, and dance.

3.  jumpsuits and boy shorts - There’s a one piece clothing revival and anything goes when it comes to length.  It’s all about jumpsuits, playsuits, and rompers.  Though not for everyone, it offers you plenty of options. It’s also time to hit the gym now that hemlines are shorter than ever.  Shorter-than-short is the new mantra with hot pants and boy shorts back in style. Wear this trend: madeira romper.

2.  minimalist.  Less is more and this is true for spring.  Imagine collections from designers like Calvin Klein, Jill Sander, Miuccia Prada, and Giorgio Armani.  There is no better way to ring in spring than to be fresh, simple, and clean. Wear this trend with: habutai silk, palomar, vanderbilt, lita, gwen, lada, and rose.

1.  ruffles – Whether on handbags, sandals, tops, or skirts, this ultra-feminine trend is everywhere. Wear this trend with: jaime, marble, newport, envy, emma, ruffle, gigi ruffle, side ruffle, and ruffle mini.

color watch – Break away from the bleak black and gray of winter.  Green, pink, blue, indigo, and yellow are great colors to liven up your wardrobe.

There you have it ladies, now go and get it!

about the author – Cassandra King is owner and CEO of Concepts de Mode, a fashion consulting and image management firm in San Francisco.  For more information or to schedule an appointment, please contact Cassandra at (925) 360-4707 or on the web, at Cassandra@conceptsdemode.com.

(Photography by Marie Padilla & Ryan Gabriel | Styled by Loralei Rose Bingamon for bellamaven.com| Modeled by Abby Nyema, Denise Ammon, Loralei Rose Bingamon, and Molly Pool.)

break my heart

January 13th, 2010

Jaywithshoe

By Jay Nicolas Sario

During my Foundation year at Otis, I was lucky enough to befriend two exceptionally talented individuals.  We were inseparable and called each other the three musketeers; one of them happens to be Jay Nicolas Sario, who is featured on Project Runway this season.

I have known Jay for several years.  He is one of the most creative designers and can make practically anything out of any material. This includes handbags, jewelry, shoes, furniture, etc.  When we were at Otis, he once made a gigantic three dimensional question mark out of cardboard.  And, among other skills, he makes a great Spanish torta or potato omelette.  We used to collaborate on all of our art projects together.  I taught him about craftsmanship and he taught me everything about art, from inspiring me to becoming my muse.

In his own words, Jay describes what he likes about Project Runway, what he thinks about fashion, and how he chooses what he is going to wear.

“What I like about being on Project Runway is the exposure. I wanted to use this experience as a platform to showcase my skills as a fashion designer.  It’s important to be recognized as someone who is innovative and has a high level of taste and sophistication.  For someone like me, who does not have a lot of fashion experience, Project Runway is the perfect place to show off my skills and be seen as a credible and reputable designer.  Being on Project Runway took me out of my comfort zone and taught me how to face challenges without having to compromise my point of view.”

“Fashion changes everyday and the best designers are the ones who create innovative and timeless pieces that people can wear forever. That’s how I shop personally. I buy and wear pieces that won’t be thrown away after one use.”

(Season 7 of Project Runway premieres Thursday January 14th at 10 p.m. on the Lifetime channel.  To learn more about Jay Nicolas Sario, visit mylifetime.com, be a fan on Facebook, or follow him on Twitter.)

old and new

January 10th, 2010

Blogoldnew

Though we often think of the new year as out with the old and in with the new, Bella Maven’s approach to fashion is all about mixing these two opposites. This is why we absolutely adore our vintage De La Luna leather handbags – josie, butterfly, fruity, true blue, and blue rose.  Without the intricate hand painted design on fabric, these handbags would look so plain.  The old classic style of the handbag is upgraded with floral imagery.  If you mix the moderne tank with black slacks, a vest, and a scarf from your closet and combine it with the josie bag or pair the pink watercolor tank with your own leather jacket, some leggings, a scarf, and the butterfly clutch, your look becomes street chic and naturally pulled together.

We apply this same philosophy to other things in our life like our relationships – keeping old friends and meeting new ones. This week we had a chance to see our good friend from Otis, up-and-coming and uber-talented designer Jay Nicolas Sario who stars in Project Runway this season; our favorite celebrity photographer Jonathan Friolo, whose photos you can see in various publications; foodie and best chef ever Rolando Armenta, who is a visual merchandiser for GAP corporate and makes a killer boeuf bourguignon; new friends Justin Warwick, owner of vintage store Warwick in Echo Park; and Anthony Martinez, store manager of soon to be open Australian based company Cotton On.

We hope you can incorporate this style mantra into your own wardrobe – layering the old with the new.  Have a happy 2KY!  Be productive, fashionable, and always strive for something beautiful everyday!

(Loralei wears moderne tank, coral celluloid ring, and josie handbag.  Shoes, vest, scarf, sunglasses, and bangles from the Bella Maven closet.  Denise wears pink watercolor tank, gliteratti scarf, butterfly clutch, and madrid ring.  Sunglasses, earrings, jacket, and leggings from the Bella Maven closet.  Shot on location in Los Angeles.  Photography by Joyce Vicente | Styled by Loralei Rose Bingamon for bellamaven.com.)

20 miles in her shoes

December 27th, 2009

"20 miles in her shoes"

If you happen to be in the L.A. area, head out to Eagle Rock Plaza to see the exhibit “20 Miles in Her Shoes”, a collaborative effort by AF3IRM/GABRIELA Network of Los Angeles (GABNet LA) with the Eagle Rock Plaza Mall and part of the North East Los Angeles Art Walk.  The installation showcases fashion that commemorates AF3IRM/GABNet’s twenty-year anniversary in political activism against repression, sexual slavery, and prostitution.  It illustrates the stories of various women defenders throughout history.  The sneakers used in the exhibit were created by community members and non-profit organizations. “20 Miles in Her Shoes” is located at the Community Corner of Eagle Rock Plaza (2700 Colorado Blvd., Los Angeles, CA 90041) and is open to the public until January 1, 2010.

holiday dressing – let me entertain you

December 15th, 2009

Blogdressing-up

Coco Chanel once said, “I don’t understand how a woman can leave the house without fixing herself up a little – if only out of politeness.  And then, you never know, maybe that’s the day she has a date with destiny.  And it’s best to be as pretty as possible for destiny.”

With all the holiday parties these season, including the family get-togethers and office shin-digs, we need to look our best.  That means putting some effort on our part, you just never know who you are going to meet, right?

I’m notorious for going over-the-top with my holiday dressing.  My sister with her sharp tongue tends to reign me in.  So, this year, I’m looking to go more streamlined, have one or two “look at me” accessories, but the focus remains largely on the dress.  I’m crushing on black dresses.  Here are a few of my recommendations for the best holiday dresses.

palomar - I can’t stop gushing about this dress.  I wore it to a fancy dinner party once in San Fran and my stylish gay best friend complimented me when I walked in.  I love it in purple, just to be different.

rumi – So soft because it’s made out of silk and fitted to show off your body’s contours.  It’s all about the black and white combination that we’ve seen on the runways.

marble – Great in black!  You’ll look adorable!

japonai - I wore this dress on my birthday during a five course meal and it was roomy enough to hide my belly bulge.

(Abby wears the palomar dress with the max clutch, nancy bracelet, letter A charm necklace, and tiger eye ring.  Fur mini-wrap, knee high socks, and shoes are model’s own.  Abby also wears the marble dress in black and nancy bracelet.  Knit hat, scarf, stockings, and shoes are model’s own.  Photography by Marie Padilla.  Styled by Loralei Rose Bingamon for bellamaven.com.)

connect

December 14th, 2009

Blogart

On Sunday, Bella Maven attended the Connect Art Show, a joint event for photographer Marie Padilla and L.A. artist Ericali Johnston at the Mountain Bar.  The space had a definite indie vibe appeal.

You’re probably familiar with Marie’s work, she has shot the Bella Maven landing page numerous times and is currently working with us on our upcoming project to enhance our site.  On this occasion, Marie was exhibiting her photographs, some of which included pieces from our fashion shoots.  She is super talented!

We also got the chance to meet Ericali, who is a remarkable artist and is primarily known for doing portraits.  Tall like a model, Ericali, told us that she didn’t have much formal training, but started painting when she was sixteen and has been doing so ever since.  She hopes to pursue her passion for art by eventually studying multimedia at UCLA.

party like a rockstar

December 8th, 2009

BMronartest

By Loralei Rose Bingamon

It began last Wednesday morning with an email.  I had just been invited to Los Angeles Laker- Ron Artest’s December bash and toy drive.  Thrilled, but also in a state of disbelief, I sat staring at my computer screen.  Anxiety began to fill my veins.  Like every style conscious woman, the first question that popped into my mind was, “What am I going to wear?”  With only two days to find the perfect fit, I decided to skip the crowded malls and go straight to the Bella Maven girls for help.

After a long debate with myself, I decided that I wanted to go for the glam rock look.  But just how would I pull this off and still be comfortable and confident at the same time?  I knew I needed the perfect dress and just the right accessories to do the trick.  Thank God Bella Maven had so many great selections for me to choose from.

The puple palomar dress saved my life!  I absolutely loved it and so did everyone else at the party!  It’s stretchy and the body shaping material hugged me in just the right places, accentuating what needed to be accentuated and hiding what needed to be hidden, if you know what I mean.  Ahem.  The dress was classy, hip, and occasion appropriate.  Whether walking through the club or dancing on the dance floor, I felt confident in every stride and two step.  Black textured tights and black ankle booties undoubtedly complemented the dress and aided my rocker aura.

Knowing that glam rock style is not complete without the appropriate details, I chose a few edgy pieces from the Bella Maven jewelry collection.  Scouring for studs, metals, and metallics, I decided on the snake earrings and gray graham leather wrap bracelet with gold studs.  If these two pieces didn’t scream “she’s bad”, nothing could.  To tie the entire outfit together, I went with the studded rockstar clutch.

I truly felt like a rockstar that night and I have Bella Maven to thank.  So, thank you Bella Maven.  I heart you!

(Stylist and model Loralei Rose Bingamon wears the palomar dress in purple, rockstar clutch in black, snake earrings, and graham leather wrap bracelet in gray.  Shoes and stockings are model’s own.)